Transformation · lines 1 and 4
Clearing Obstacles becomes Fleeting Success
What this change means
Both trigrams shift as the first and fourth lines move, and the scene becomes earth above a lake: Clearing Obstacles turns into 19 Fleeting Success. The fourth line leads. Loosen the bonds you can't rely on, so nothing drags at your step and real allies have room to come. The first line asks for rest after the struggle, a recovery that carries no fault. Together they clear space, outside and inside. The resulting hexagram speaks of a period of luck and well-being that's on its way and limited in time; conditions will change again. Make the most of it, read the signs, and take precautions before the downturn so its effects are lighter. So rest briefly, release what weighs on you, and then use the good spell well. Prepare for the change while things are still easy.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 4 of 40 Clearing Obstacles
It's important to let go of ties and loyalties that can't be trusted and that, if anything, will slow your progress, so you can move forward freely.
Untie your big toe: the friend arrives, and then there is trust.
- Line 1 of 40 Clearing Obstacles
With the obstacles behind you, take a rest for now so you can recover your strength to keep going.
No fault.
- The judgment of 40 Clearing Obstacles
The obstacles have been overcome one by one. You're in a time when balance matters: act quickly and decisively as far as you can, without overrating your abilities. If you feel you need a rest, or even to step back before going on, do it.
The southwest is favorable. With nowhere to go, coming back brings good fortune. With somewhere to go, going early brings good fortune.
- The judgment of 19 Fleeting Success
A period of luck, fortune and well-being is coming. Make the most of it, because it will last only eight months; after that, conditions will change. If you can pay attention, read the signs and take care and precautions before the decline arrives, you won't avoid it, but you will lessen its effects while circumstances change.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. When the eighth month comes, misfortune.
The trigrams
The way back
19 Fleeting Success → 40 Clearing Obstacleslines 1 and 4
Other transformations of Clearing Obstacles
- 51Shocklines 1 and 2
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1 and 3
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2 and 3
- 2Passivitylines 2 and 4
- 46Going Uplines 3 and 4
- 58Inner Peacelines 1 and 5
- 45Meetinglines 2 and 5
- 28Excesseslines 3 and 5
- 29Waterlines 4 and 5
- 38Oppositeslines 1 and 6
- 35Advancelines 2 and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 3 and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 4 and 6
- 6Conflictlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.